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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites....7/27/17


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 07/27/2017

Rhonda Ross wears many hats; singer, actress, speaker, spouse and mom. Currently she is on tour and wearing the hat of daughter/opening act for her mother, Diana and the duo is coming to The Mann Center in Philadelphia, PA for an 8 p.m. show this Saturday July 29.

"I remember when we last spoke I was only on the road with my mother for a few dates," she said with excitement in her voice. "Well I wound up doing the summer tour and when the opportunity came up again we thought about only six weeks but it turned into more.This is really a little jewel, mother and daughter, people and performers. Last time I only did six shows but this time her and I are doing a whole tour and we're getting to spend more time together and we're having a great time." 

Ross's performances have been called, "Electrifying," "Passionate" and her lyrics, "Powerful" and "Heartfelt" and these just may be understatements. Never one to deny her bloodline this daughter of Diana Ross and Barry Gordy admits that her upbringing has played a major part in her music career but also says that even though her music is, "Steeped in Jazz with grooving bass lines" and she writes, "Life Lyrics," Ross never has been one to conform to others expectations.

Case in point, her new record titled, "In Case You Didn't Know," is a work that Ross feels allows her to step up and into her own a bit. "This record was self penned, self produced and self financed and I'm really, really proud of it," she said with confidence. "The same band that is on the album is the same one that I take on tour, they're great and they know me and the music and we work so well as a unit. I'm the best kept secret of the Ross family," she said tongue in cheek with a laugh, "And I'm tired of it!"

The title track has a corresponding music video which stars Rhonda, her husband and her son. "Yes, yes that's my family in the video," she gushed with enthusiasm.  "I'm the Mother Nature Spirit in the video and my son is the young child. He is exposed to all these wonderful things and so many of us are missing them and the video points this out. It was so much fun to do with my own son. When we went to cast, I was asked who would play the part of my son and I said; how about my son (laughs)? I mean, who better; right? It worked out fantastic and was a great experience for all of us."



 


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An Emmy nominated actress for her past role as Toni Burrell on, "Another World," Rhonda still considers acting but it's momentarily on the proverbial back burner. "I haven't had a lot of time between family, the music and tour but acting is always on my mind, always on my mind because I enjoy it. I've written a play but haven't focused on it due to music at the moment but once that calms down we'll see where that goes."

Along with acting, one of her passions is helping young people and she often speaks to them throughout the country at universities and camps all across the globe. "I love speaking engagements and I do them all of the time. I love taking the opportunity to educate young people and letting them know there are no limits to what they can do. I recently spoke in Anchorage, Alaska and I'll be doing a Motown EDU event and I want the kids to know that they can find meaning in their art; that art and business are both important and that they should be true to who they are in both."

After a couple of dates on the east coast in August she will be heading over to Europe in September for a two week tour with her husband on piano. When asked about life/work balance, Ross let out a hearty laugh and said, "I'm not sure that I do balance it! I try to stay focused on my priorities. In this business there are a lot of distractions. My priorities are my family first of course, then my careers. I try to attend to everything, my time is never frittered away. I'm not a television watcher or someone who sits idle. I'm very organized and in my spare time I read, meditate and stay focused as best I can."

Tickets for The Mann Center show range from $41.50 to $129.50 and can be obtained through the venue box office, or Rhonda's page at www.rhondarosskendrick.com.

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!


This week's event listings


Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Dead Robins, Broken Streetlights, Cold Soil, Canine 10, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sat. 6 p.m. Sonar Lights, Static Drift, Atlas On Top, Eagle Road, The Inversion Circus, Generation Underground. All ages, $10
Bill's Olde Tavern
02694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes) 
Ages 21+ 
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33 Hamilton 
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia  Jam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Bowman's Tavern
1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Patrick & Debra
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch With Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Lovey Williams
Wed. 6 p.m. Jamie Stem
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room
19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Sara M.
Sat. 9 p.m. Retroglyphs
Sun. 5 p.m. Troy Kaiser
Candlelight Lounge 
24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
 Sat. 3 p.m. Lars Haake. $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet) 
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Thurs. 5 p.m. "COA Fundraising Night" (10% of food sales will be donated to the City of Angels Drug/Alcohol Addictions Ctr.)
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia 
City Streets 
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com 
Main Street Hightstown 
(609) 241-7103
Please check web page for upcoming schedule
Dadz Bar & Grill
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. (6 p.m.) Cathryn Manning Duo (10 p.m.) Billy Walton Band
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Byrd
Sun. 4 p.m. Dave & Donna
Tues. 9 p.m. Andrew Morrer
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment
Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Brian Elliot
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Keli Vale & Nick Bucci (9 p.m.) The Mix
Sat. (11 a.m.)"Saturday Brunch" feat. David Dzubinski Group  (9 p.m.) Cara Cartney
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (4 p.m.) Paul Donovan
Wed. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson
Freddies Tavern
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. The Rich Scannella Group
Sat. 8 p.m. Smoked Ice
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Grover's Mill Coffee House
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Plumeri, Monk and Kramer
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. 
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 8 p.m. "World's Collide" an evening w/ Howie Day. Doors at 6 p.m., $35
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) The Se7en Band (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline Band
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran 
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn
15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. (TBA) 
Fri. 6 p.m. Hopewell Valley Jazz Ensemble
Sat. 6 p.m. Acoustic Rock 
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. (TBA)
Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Keith Franklin
Sat.  1 p.m. Victor Tarassov
Sun. 1 p.m. John Rossi
Ivy Tavern 
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Unleashed
Sat. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Comedy Night
Fri. 9 p.m. Dana Gaynor Band
Sat. (3 p.m.) TBA  (9 p.m.) Wineskin
Sun. (3 p.m.)Drag Show (9 p.m.) TBA
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. Matt & Joe (Radio Fiction Duo)
Sat. 9 p.m. Some Assembly Required
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Laurita Idol" Junior Idol Semi-Finals
Fri. 7 p.m. "Friday Night Dance Party" feat. The fabulous Grease Band
Sat. 1 p.m. The Half Brothers
Sun. 1 p.m. Lefty, the Man of 1,000 Songs
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"
Levitt Amp Trenton Summer Concert Series
Mill Hill Park (Corner of Front & South Broad Streets)
Thurs. 5 p.m. Viva La Hop
Mamma Rosa's 
572 Klockner Road Hamilton 
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider 
Fri. 7 p.m. J. Spirit Walker
McGuinn's Place
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Frisky Fridays" Christmas In July feat. DJ Favs. Ages 21+
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Mercer County Park
Old Trenton Road/Hughes Drive West Windsor
(609) 303-0700
Fri. (6 p.m.) "Local Legends" feat. DD and the Divebombers (7 p.m.) Joe Zook and the Blues Deluxe (8 p.m.) The Ernie White Band. Free Admission/Free Parking
Sat. 7 p.m. Glenn Miller Orchestra. Gates at 6 p.m.
Millhill Basement
300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase 
New Hope Winery
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Sat. 8 p.m. "AC/DC Tribute" w/ Live Wire. Doors at 7 p.m., $30
Nook's PourHouse
2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Nottingham Tavern
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
PANJ Radio
Bridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Bruce Tunkel
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Infinite Bandwidth
Sat. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 8 p.m. Brute Force w/ Ben Chatrer. Doors at 7:30p.m., $12
Salt Creek Grille
1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 8 p.m. Party of 3
Small World Coffee
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Black Cat Habitat
1867 Sanctuary 
101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Thurs. 8 p.m. John SaFranko. $20
Fri. 7 p.m. Fourth Friday Open Mic. Free Admission
Sat. 8 p.m. McMillan & Co. $20
Sun. 7:30 p.m. Scott Bravo and Vin Downes. $20
Tara's Tavern 
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Quattro
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaikevw/ Big Daddt G
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Amber Moon
Sat. (11 a.m.) "All Day Beach Party" (9 P.M.)  Sleeping Dogs Lie
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night 
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310
Fri. 5 p.m. "Sips and Sounds Summer Music Series" w/ Kurt Bock
The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Diablo Sandwich Band
Sat. 10 p.m. Jam Lab
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.
The Raven 
385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. 5 p.m. Russell Eiffert. 
Fri. (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (9 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Wed. 6 p.m. Dena Underwood
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Check web site for upcoming events
The Roost 
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050 
Fri. 9 p.m. Victor On Guitar
Sat. 9 p.m. Spoondrift
The Sticky Wicket 
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Fri. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Sat. 9 p.m. Off The Record
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Third State Brewing
352 High Street Burlington
(609) 387-1620
Fri. 7 p.m. Jim Gaven
Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mass Folk Common
Wed. 9 p.m. "First Wednesday" feat. The Williamsboy
All shows  21+
Trenton Buzz
702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic. 
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Lovewhip. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+ 
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location)
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. Sons Of Pitches
Sat. 10 p.m. New Pony
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ages 21+


Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.


 


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